Method of making respective prints of recorded images within successive film frames or alternatively of selected portions of the images

ABSTRACT

A method of making respective prints of recorded images within successive film frames of a filmstrip or alternatively of selected portions of the images includes the steps of: 
     determining whether a particular indication is present on the filmstrip which serves as a unique indication to look for a pseudo format indication within each film frame that a selected portion of a recorded image within the film frame is to be printed 
     printing the recorded image within each film frame when the particular indication is determined not to be present on the filmstrip; 
     determining whether the pseudo format indication is present within each film frame when the particular indication is determined to be present on the filmstrip; 
     printing the selected portion of the recorded image within a film frame when the pseudo format indication is determined to be present within the film frame, or printing the recorded image within the film frame when the particular indication is determined to be present on the filmstrip, but the pseudo format indication is determined not to be present within the film frame.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to the field of photography, and inparticular to a print making method. More specifically, the inventionrelates to a method of making respective prints of recorded imageswithin successive film frames or alternatively of selected portions ofthe images.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The “Advanced Photographic System”

Reloadable and one-time-use cameras for the new worldwide “AdvancedPhoto System” can give you not just one print format, but a choice ofthree. For the classic proportions of a 35 mm print, the photographerchooses the “C” format. For a wider view, the full-frame “H” format ischosen. And for an even wider look, the “P” format is chosen to providea sweeping panoramic print. Each format has a different aspect ratio.

The camera records the choice of “C”, “H” or “P” format magneticallyand/or optically on one longitudinal edge of the filmstrip for eachexposed frame on the filmstrip. The standard encodement on film for the“H” format is the binary 0, 0, i.e. no recorded data bits. The standardencodement on film for the “P” format is either the binary 0, 1 or thebinary 1, 0, i.e. one recorded data bit. The standard encodement on filmfor the “C” format is the binary 1, 1, i.e. two recorded data bits.

To make the prints, the photofinisher's printer system reads the opticalor magnetic encodements on film and automatically prints each print inaccordance with the selected “C”, “H” or “P” format. A print having a“C” format is typically 4×6 inches. A print having a “H” format istypically 4×7 inches. And a print having a “P” format is typically 4×10inches or 4×11.5 inches. No matter which format is selected in thecamera, “C”, “H” or “P”, the exposed frame on the filmstrip are alwaysin the “H” format. This allows re-prints to be made in any of the threeformats rather than just in the selected format.

The photographer will know substantially how much of a subject beingphotographed will be included in a print having the “C”, “H” or “P”format, because the viewfinder in the camera typically includes avariable format mask, such as a mechanical masking blade or anelectronic masking liquid crystal display, for framing the subject asseen in the viewfinder. The mask is adjustable to frame the subject inaccordance with the “C”, “H” or “P” format. A manually operated formatselector is provided to change the format of the mask to view the “C”,“H” or “P” format in the viewfinder. When a shutter release button ismanually depressed to take a picture, the choice of format ismagnetically and/or optically recorded on one longitudinal edge of thefilmstrip adjacent the exposed frame.

Earlier Prior Art

U.S. Pat. No. 4928124 issued May 22, 1990 discloses a camera having amanually operated selector for selecting that an exposed frame on a 35mm filmstrip be printed according to a pseudo telephoto format which isoptically encoded within the exposed frame at an edge-region that is notto be included in the print. The encodement tells the printer to makethe print from a central portion of the exposed frame, rather than fromsubstantially the entire frame. Thus, the print of the central portionis the same as when a telephoto focal length was selected to make theexposure.

U.S. Pat. No. 4650304 issued Mar. 17, 1987 discloses a camera adapted toreceive a conventional film cartridge to take exposures to only makenormal prints and alternatively to receive a special film cartridge totake exposures to make pseudo telephoto format and/or normal prints. Theencodement for the pseudo telephoto format is optically encoded adjacentthe exposed frame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, a method of making respective prints ofrecorded images within successive film frames of a filmstrip oralternatively of selected portions of the images comprises the steps of:

determining whether a particular indication is present on the filmstripwhich serves as a unique indication to look for a pseudo formatindication within each film frame that a selected portion of a recordedimage within the film frame is to be printed

printing the recorded image within each film frame when the particularindication is determined not to be present on the filmstrip;

determining whether the pseudo format indication is present within eachfilm frame when the particular indication is determined to be present onthe filmstrip;

printing the selected portion of the recorded image within a film framewhen the pseudo format indication is determined to be present within thefilm frame, or printing the recorded image within the film frame whenthe particular indication is determined to be present on the filmstrip,but the pseudo format indication is determined not to be present withinthe film frame.

More specifically, there is provided a method of making respectiveprints of recorded images within successive film frames or alternativelyof selected portions of the images comprising the steps of:

determining whether a multi-format indication which indicates that anyone of several possible-selected portions of a recorded image within afilm frame is to be printed, is present adjacent the film frame;

printing the recorded image within the film frame when the multi-formatindication is determined not to be present adjacent the film frame;

determining whether at least a first pseudo format indication whichindicates that a particular one of the possible-selected portions of therecorded image is to be printed, or a second pseudo format indicationwhich indicates that another one of the possible-selected portions ofthe recorded image is to be printed, is present within the film frame,when the multi-format indication is determined to be present adjacentthe film frame;

printing the particular one of the possible-selected portions of therecorded image within the film frame when the first pseudo formatindication is determined to be present within the film frame, orprinting the other one of the possible-selected portions of the recordedimage within the film frame when the second pseudo format indication isdetermined to be present within the film frame; and

printing the recorded image within the film frame when the multi-formatindication is determined to be present adjacent the film frame, but atleast the first and second pseudo format indications are determined notto be present within the film frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a processed 35 mm filmstrip that issubjected to a method of making respective prints of recorded imageswithin successive film frames or alternatively of selected portions ofthe images, consistent with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a printer system for implementing the method; and

FIG. 3 is a flow chart depicting the method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is disclosed as being embodied preferably in a digitalprinter. Because the features of a digital printer are generally known,the description which follows is directed in particular only to thoseelements forming part of or cooperating directly with the disclosedembodiment. It is to be understood, however, that other elements maytake various forms known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a processed (negative) 35 mmfilmstrip 10 having various full-frame recorded images, such as therecorded images 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20, within successive film frames,such as the film frames 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30. A multi-format indication32 which indicates that any one of several possible-selected portions ofthe recorded image 12, 14, 16, 18 or 20 within the film frame 22, 24,26, 28 or 30 is to be printed, is present adjacent each one of the filmframes. The multi-format indication 32 is in the form of a “DX” -typebar code that is provided on the filmstrip 10 during film manufacture,although any known encodement will suffice. A 1.5× pseudo telephotoformat indication 34 which indicates that a particular rectangularportion 36 of the recorded image 12 is to be printed, is recorded withinthe film frame 22 when the recorded image is made in a camera (notshown). A 3× pseudo telephoto format indication 38 which indicates thata particular rectangular portion 40 of the recorded image 14 is to beprinted, is recorded within the film frame 24 when the recorded image ismade in the camera. A 2× pseudo telephoto format indication 42 whichindicates that a particular rectangular portion 44 of the recorded image18 is to be printed, is recorded within the film frame 28 when therecorded image is made in the camera. A pseudo panoramic formatindication 46 which indicates that a particular rectangular portion 48of the recorded image 16 is to be printed, is recorded within the filmframe 26 when the recorded image is made in the camera. No pseudo formatindication is recorded within the film frame 30 which indicates that therecorded image 20 is to be printed substantially in its entirety. The1.5× pseudo telephoto format indication 34 recorded in the camera withinthe film frame 22 is the binary 001. The 3× pseudo telephoto formatindication 38 recorded in the camera within the film frame 24 is thebinary 100. The 2× pseudo telephoto format indication 42 recorded in thecamera within the film frame 28 is the binary 010. The pseudo panoramicformat indication 46 recorded in the camera within the film frame 26 isthe binary 110. No pseudo format indication recorded within the filmframe 30 is the binary 000. Preferably, the 1.5×, 2× and 3× pseudotelephoto indications 34, 42, 38 and the pseudo panoramic indication 46are recorded in the camera on a masked rectangular bottom-corner regionof the film frames.

The rectangular portions 36, 40 and 44 of the recorded images 12, 14 and18 within the film frames 22, 24 and 28 have the same aspect ratio, butthe aspect ratio is different than the aspect ratio of the rectangularportion 48 of the recorded image 16 within the film frame 26. Printsmade of the respective portions 36, 40 and 44 of the recorded images 12,14 and 18 are the same size. A print made from rectangular portion 48 ofthe recorded image 16 has a different, wider or panoramic size.

FIG. 2 schematically depicts a printer system 50 used to make respectiveprints of recorded images within successive film frames of a processedfilmstrip with and without the multi-format indication 32. That is, theprinter system 50 can make prints of recorded images within successivefilm frames of a conventional 35 mm filmstrip (not shown), and it canmake prints of recorded images or alternatively selected portions of theimages in the illustrated filmstrip 10. The printer system 50 isfashioned from a digital printer disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5767945issued Jun. 16, 1998, or it can be fashioned from an analog printershown in U.S. Pat. No. 5978067 issued Nov. 2, 1999. Both of the patentsare incorporated by reference in this application.

The printer system 50 includes a known motorized film drive (not shown)for advancing a filmstrip such as a conventional 35 mm filmstrip or theillustrated filmstrip 10 from film supply reel 52, past a known digitalbar code reader 54, through a known digital scanner 56 and onto a filmtake-up reel 58. The digital bar code reader 54 reads the multi-formatindication 32 adjacent each film frame 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 on thefilmstrip 10 and inputs it in digital form for each film frame into aknown computer 60. The digital film scanner 56 has a projection lightsource 62 that shines bright light through each film frame when the filmframe is momentarily positioned at a frame gate 64, and a focusing lens66 that focuses a light-projected image of the recorded image and the1.5× or 2× or 3× pseudo telephoto format indication 34, 42, 38 or thepseudo panoramic format indication 46, within the film frame, on ascanning image sensor 68 such as a coupled device (CCD). The resultantanalog electronic image/pseudo format indication signals provided by theimage sensor 68 are applied to a known analogto digital converter 70that converts the analog electrical image/pseudo format indicationsignals into digital form which is then inputted to the computer 60. Aknown memory 72 connected to the computer 60 includes permanent look-uptables for the digital forms of the multi-format designation 32, the1.5×, 2× and 3× pseudo telephoto format indications 34, 42, 38 and thepseudo panoramic format indication 46. This enables the computer 60 todetermine their individual presence on the filmstrip 10. A known hardcopy print maker 74 is connected to the computer 60 to make a hard copyprint of each recorded image or alternatively of a selected portion ofthe image.

A method of making prints of recorded images within successive filmframes of a conventional 35 mm filmstrip (not shown), and making printsof recorded images or alternatively of selected portions of the imagesin the illustrated filmstrip 10, using the printer system 50, is shownin FIG. 3. The method as shown in FIG. 3 is for each film frame, andcomprises the following steps.

STEP 1: Determining via the bar code reader 54 and the computer 60whether the multi-format indication 32 which indicates that any one ofthe possible-selected portions 36, 40, 44 or 48 of a recorded imagewithin the film frame next-to-be-advanced to the frame gate 64 is to beprinted, is present adjacent the film frame.

STEP 2: Printing via the computer 60 and the hard copy print maker 74 ahard copy of the recorded image within the film frame at the frame gate64, when the multi-format indication 32 is determined not to be presentadjacent the film frame.

STEPS 3A-D: Determining via the computer 60 and the memory 72 whetherthe pseudo panoramic indication 46 (STEP 3A), the 1.5× pseudo telephotoformat indication 34 (STEP 3B), the 2× pseudo telephoto formatindication 42 (STEP 3C), the 3× pseudo telephoto format indication 38(STEP 3D), or no pseudo format indication (STEP 3D), is present withinthe film frame at the frame gate 64, when the multi-format indication 32is determined to be present adjacent the film frame.

STEPS 4A-D: Printing via the computer 60 and the hard copy print maker74 a hard copy of the respective portions 48 (STEP 4A), 36 (STEP 4B), 40(STEP 4C) or 44 (STEP 4D) of the recorded image within the film frame atthe frame gate 64, when the pseudo panoramic indication 46, the 1.5×pseudo telephoto format indication 34, the 2× pseudo telephoto formatindication 42, or the 3× pseudo telephoto format indication 38 ispresent within the film frame.

STEP 2: Printing via the computer 60 and the hard copy print maker 74 ahard copy of the recorded image within the film frame at the frame gate64 when the multi-format indication 32 is determined to be presentadjacent the film frame, but the pseudo panoramic indication 46, the1.5× pseudo telephoto format indication 34, the 2× pseudo telephotoformat indication 42, and the 3× pseudo telephoto format indication 38are not present within the film frame.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferredembodiment. However, it will be appreciated that variations andmodifications can be effected by a person of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope of the invention.

PARTS LIST

10. processed 35 mm filmstrip

12. recorded image

14. recorded image

16. recorded image

18. recorded image

20. recorded image

22. film frame

24. film frame

26. film frame

28. film frame

30. film frame

32. multi-format indication

34. 1.5× pseudo telephoto indication

36. rectangular portion

38. 3× pseudo telephoto indication

40. rectangular portion

42. 2× pseudo telephoto indication

44. rectangular portion

46. pseudo panoramic indication

48. rectangular portion

50. printer system

52. film supply reel

54. digital bar code reader

56. digital scanner

58. film take-up reel

60. computer

62. light source

64. frame gate

66. focusing lens

68. scanning image sensor

70. analog-to-digital converter

72. memory

74. hard copy print maker

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of making respective prints of recordedimages within successive film frames of a filmstrip or alternatively ofselected portions of the images, said method comprising the steps of:determining whether a particular indication is present on the filmstripwhich serves as a unique indication to look for a pseudo formatindication within each film frame that a selected portion of a recordedimage within the film frame is to be printed printing the recorded imagewithin each film frame when the particular indication is determined notto be present on the filmstrip; determining whether the pseudo formatindication is present within each film frame when the particularindication is determined to be present on the filmstrip; printing theselected portion of the recorded image within a film frame when thepseudo format indication is determined to be present within the filmframe, or printing the recorded image within the film frame when theparticular indication is determined to be present on the filmstrip, butthe pseudo format indication is determined not to be present within thefilm frame.
 2. A method of making respective prints of recorded imageswithin successive film frames or alternatively of selected portions ofthe images, said method comprising the steps of: determining whether amulti-format indication which indicates that any one of severalpossible-selected portions of a recorded image within a film frame is tobe printed, is present adjacent the film frame; printing the recordedimage within the film frame when the multi-format indication isdetermined not to be present adjacent the film frame; determiningwhether at least a first pseudo format indication which indicates that aparticular one of the possible-selected portions of the recorded imageis to be printed, or a second pseudo format indication which indicatesthat another one of the possible-selected portions of the recorded imageis to be printed, is present within the film frame, when themulti-format indication is determined to be present adjacent the filmframe; printing the particular one of the possible-selected portions ofthe recorded image within the film frame when the first pseudo formatindication is determined to be present within the film frame, orprinting the other one of the possible-selected portions of the recordedimage within the film frame when the second pseudo format indication isdetermined to be present within the film frame; and printing therecorded image within the film frame when the multi-format indication isdetermined to be present adjacent the film frame, but at least the firstand second pseudo format indications are determined not to be presentwithin the film frame.
 3. A printer system for making respective printsof recorded images within successive film frames or alternatively ofselected portions of the images, said printer comprising: a reader thatdetermines whether a multi-format indication which indicates that anyone of several possible-selected portions of a recorded image within afilm frame is to be printed, is present adjacent the film frame; acomputer connected to said reader that determines whether at least afirst pseudo format indication which indicates that a particular one ofthe possible-selected portions of the recorded image is to be printed,or a second pseudo indication which indicates that another one of thepossible-selected portions of the recorded image is to be printed, ispresent within the film frame, when the multi-format indication isdetermined to be present adjacent the film frame; and a hard copy printmaker connected to said computer that makes a print of the recordedimage within the film frame when the multi-format indication isdetermined not to be present adjacent the film frame or the multi-formatindication is determined to be present adjacent the film frame, but atleast the first and second pseudo format indications are determined notto be present within the film frame, and makes a print of the particularone of the possible-selected portions of the recorded image within thefilm frame when the first or second pseudo format indication isdetermined to be present within the film frame.